(Newser)
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Raising a glass of whiskey, rum, or tequila to the spirit of bipartisan cooperation could become cheaper under a bill introduced to the House Tuesday. The Distillery Innovation and Excise Tax Reform Act, co-sponsored by Indiana Republican Todd Young and Kentucky Democrat John Yarmuth, would dramatically cut federal taxes on distilled spirits, the Hill reports. The federal tax—just one of the taxes and fees that make up more than half the price of an average bottle of spirits—now stands at $13.50 per proof gallon, and the bill would give small distillers a boost by slashing the tax to $2.70 per proof gallon for the first 10,000 gallons produced. Every gallon after that would be taxed at $9 per proof gallon.

"All around southern Indiana, many new craft distilleries are popping up, creating jobs and adding to the tax base," Young said in a press release. "But there's a lot of red tape involved in getting a new distillery off the ground and this bill helps reduce that burden." But the price of booze won't dive that much if the bill passes: The feds tax spirits a lot more heavily than beer or wine, but the federal tax still only accounts for 15% of the cost of the average bottle of spirits, reports the Washington Post, which notes that state taxes vary from $35.22 per proof gallon in Washington to nothing at all in New Hampshire and Wyoming. (In other drinking news, a new study points to the number of drinks "beyond the safe level.")

Whatever their hidden agenda, I welcome anything that lowers taxes. Back in the 80s oil-dependent Texas asked and got a "temporary" raise in sales tax to "help the economy". It's now up over 50% and still in effect. That's over 300% increase in taxes, including inflation.

JoeQ

May 31, 2015 2:16 PM CDT

With tequila, all we get in this country is imported major-name-brands. Maybe their price will drop.

calicub

May 31, 2015 1:26 PM CDT

Cut to everybody getting as drunk as the want montage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfuxZujRU4g